July Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

Its early days I know. The top of the table in August means nothing compared to the top of the table in May, but, what a boost it will give to us supporters to see the club on top of Division 2. It may only last for 24 hours but the fact that we are in such a position is great testament to all at the Club. If City can produce the free flowing passing game they have adopted so far this season then all supporters will be in for a treat tonight. No counting chickens yet though. Wrexham are not coming into a Welsh derby to lie down and let us take all the glory. Brian Flynn will want to see his Wrexham team a point off early leaders Preston. Wrexham's last visit to Ninian was in the semi final 2nd leg of the FAW Cup last season. An injury time goal by the Robins put them into the final after it appeared City had done enough to turn around a 3 - 1 1st leg deficit. Cardiff therefore have a score to settle.

It looks like Scott Young will not be risked in the starting XI tonight. The best he can hope for is a place on the bench. I'll put my neck out and go for the following team.

Hallworth, Faerber, Legg,  Ford, Eckhardt, Fowler, Hill, Bonner, Boland, Nugent and Bowen.

Subs. Kelly (gk), Thomas, Brazier, Cornforth, Young,

Its possible that after an impressive performance in the midweek friendly that John Cornforth could start the game in place of Bonner. Matt Brazier has not yet started a match but I think he will stay on the bench after Danny Hill played well last Saturday.

Craig Middleton has been called into the squad as well.

Media reports on tonights game.

Daily Mirror

WINSTON Faerber is hoping goals will again prove a universal language when Cardiff City face Welsh rivals Wrexham at Ninian Park tonight.

Dutchman Faerber speaks English but admits the Welsh accent, manager Frank Burrows's gruff Scottish tones and the Welsh language have all left him baffled since his summer move from Den Haag.

But the wing-back signed to replace Mark Delaney after his move to Aston Villa knows another goal tonight like the one he blasted in the 3-2 win at Oxford on Saturday will meet with approval in any tongue.

"I like scoring goals and it would be great to score another against Wrexham," said Faerber, already a huge favourite with Cardiff fans after just three matches.

"I feel I have settled in well at the club, but I admit it's hard to understand the Welsh people.

"It can also be hard to understand the manager - but football is football all over the world and I get by."

Faerber confesses to being completely perplexed by Welsh but he said: "Who knows? Maybe if I stay a while I'll learn some of that, too.

"I've already noticed the word for police - heddlu. The fans have given me a great welcome and I'm looking forward to making my mark in Wales. I don't even mind the rain."

Faerber has been given licence to get forward at every opportunity by manager Burrows, who concedes it was a lack of goalpower that cost the Bluebirds the Third Division championship last season.

Burrow said: "Winston has had a very good start to his Cardiff career and scored a lovely goal at Oxford.

"He's been looking for a house and when you move your whole family from one city to another it can affect a player - never mind from another country.

"So I'm very pleased with his start, although when he first came here I did have to remind him who the player was and who was the manager."

Victory for Cardiff tonight could put them on top of the Second Division - if only for a few hours.

But Wrexham are also coming off the back of a win last week, 1-0 over Bury.

Burrows added: "If we go top of the table that's nice for some people. But manager don't look at tables in August. We live in the real world.

"All I'm concerned with is that we continue to develop and play the good football we've been playing so far."

Another player delighted to have moved to Ninian Park is midfielder Willie Boland, who turned down a new Coventry contract to join Burrows.

"It was the manager who sold the club to me," said Boland, 24. "He spelled out the potential of the place and his own ideas.

"There's a long hard season to go but I'm already delighted I came. We have a great set of lads and everybody enjoys the way we try to win by playing football."

Burrows has drafted in Craig Middleton but, despite a reserve match on Wednesday after injury, Scott Young will not be in the squad.

Neither will Russell Perrett, who has a bruised foot, or Richard Carpenter, still not fit after breaking his toe.

Wrexham boss Brian Flynn is likely to field the side that beat Bury.

Western Mail

CARDIFF CITY can confound the pre-season prophets of doom by top-ping Division Two tonight.

But Frank Burrows will not be distracted even if Cardiff go top by winning the Welsh derby against Wrexham at Ninian Park (7.30pm).

“Being top means nothing at this stage,” said Burrows, manager of a side that many pundits expected to be at the other end of the table. 

“It’s not about a couple of games. We have got to prove ourselves in the coming months and Wrexham is another big test for us.

“I’m not getting carried away, neither are my players. We know the monumental task ahead if we are to establish ourselves in this division.’’

Cardiff have climbed to fifth after a draw with Millwall and a stunning 3-2 victory at Oxford last weekend.

Wrexham are one point worse off but Burrows knows the size of the task presented by Brian Flynn’s side.

“As far as I’m concerned, Wrexham start favourites. We are the new boys feeling our way. They are a well established Second Division team.

“They have proved themselves in this division. We have everything to prove.”

Cardiff are likely to be unchanged, with Russell Perrett, Scott Young and Richard Carpenter, all nursing injuries, unlikely to be risked. Craig Middleton is added to the squad.

Wrexham quartet Kevin Dearden, Phil Hardy, Wayne Phillips and Danny Williams should overcome minor knocks for Flynn to name the same side that beat Bury six days ago.

Veteran striker Ian Stevens scored a solitary goal in that victory and he will continue his promising partner-ship with Craig Faulconbridge, the 21-year-old signed from Coventry City on the eve of the season.

Flynn, a former Cardiff player, said, “It’s great to be involved in Welsh derbies again. It’s good for Welsh football to have two clubs in the Second Division and we’ve had some exciting meetings in the past.

“Frank Burrows and Billy Ayre have done really well at Cardiff and the club is on a high. They tend to be really close games and I don’t expect anything different this time.”

Cardiff City (probable): Hallworth, Faerber, Legg, Eckhardt, Fowler, Ford, Boland, Bonner, Hill, Bowen, Nugent.

Wrexham (probable): Dearden, McGregor, Hardy, Carey, Riddler, Phillips, Williams, Owen, Connolly, Stevens, Faulconbridge.